Thursday, August 09, 2012

New Delhi City Morning Tour (Humayun's Tomb & Red Fort)

solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days
may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday

new delhi international airport arrival

After arriving in IGI airport in new delhi city, the subway going to airport express is just infront of Terminal 3. I notice, while walking towards the metro station, police/military visibility is almost 100% and I don't know why. Even how they frisk passengers its like I'm inside the airport. So again, just like in other airports I have been... after touchdown, go the visa arrival section, then exit the airport going to subway station just infront, simple as that.

Airport express fare from IGI airport station to New Delhi cost only 80INR (php67) for around 18-23 mins travel time surpassing 4 stations. Very, very effective and exactly similar to hongkong's airport express but not on the fare. From New Delhi station, I went to yellow lane for the start of my city morning tour, with minimum fare of 12INR (php10) only. From central secretariat station, the tour went on via do-it-myself basis....

india gate with sandstorm in the morning

india gate with sandstorm in the morning

New Delhi is the capital city of India. As the national capital, New Delhi is the seat of executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of the Government of India. It also serves as the centre of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi and is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory.

The India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, the India Gate was inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in 1931. Originally known as the All India War Memorial, it is a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives while fighting for the Indian Empire, in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It is composed of red and pale sandstone and granite Following India's independence, the India Gate became the site of the Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, known as Amar Jawan Jyoti ("the flame of the immortal soldier").
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_Gate

humayun's tomb with sandstorm in the morning

humayun's tom

humayun's tomb

After minutes of photo-ops with sandstorm debris, I walked my way to humayun's tomb which I thought was just nearby. I walked around over 5km under the scorching heat of 36 degree temperature. Though the regret was there not taking rickshaw, walking like this has always been part of my itinerary due to feeling the land at least on that moment. and while I was walking, the sound of "jai ho" (slumdog millionaire soundtrack) has been echoing in my mind. This is my destiny, to be a backpacker.

humayun's tomb has a foreign tourist entrance fee of 250INR for one-time entry only. Tripod, food and drinks is not allowed so kindly ensure you must put everything inside your bag before taking the tour or else staff will confiscate it.

Humayun's tomb is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562 AD, and designed by a Persian architect. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, that Humayun founded in 1533. It was also the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, and since then has undergone extensive restoration work, which is still underway
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_Humayun

Then, it is really advisable to take a rickshaw ride going to nearest station. My 1st rickshaw joyride and of course, bargaining the fare first before confirming the ride. From humayun's tomb. Important reminder: do not hand-over large amount of single bill to driver upon payment or else you might end up losing your budget, I mean it. Here was the actual event on what I did; negotiate by asking their fare 1st then demand way lower than they asked. Just pay upon arrival on destination and give only exact amount, give tip if you like.

red fort of new delhi city

red fort of new delhi city

red fort of new delhi city

red fort of new delhi city

Red fort is along the metro yellow lane also. From central secretariat station, just alight to chandhi chowk station with minum fare of only 12INR (php10), less than a kilometer walked until reaching the ticket booth.

The Red Fort was originally referred to as "Qila-i-Mubarak" (the blessed fort), because it was the residence of the royal family. The layout of the Red Fort was organised to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort. The fortress palace was an important focal point of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad. The planning and aesthetics of the Red Fort represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which prevailed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Fort

After all of this, depart again via rickshaw to delhi new train station for 100INR (including tip) and going to old station 100INR.




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